Yusuf declares Monday public holiday in honour of Kano athletes

Abba Yusuf

Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has declared today as a public holiday to honour the memory of the 22 Kano athletes and officials who died in a road accident while returning from the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

A statement in Kano yesterday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Mr Sanusi Bature, said the victims, mostly youths, were part of the state’s contingent to the just-concluded National Sports Festival.

“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, we extend our heartfelt condolences over the unfortunate incident that occurred along the Kano–Zaria expressway,” Bature said.

He quoted Yusuf, who is currently in Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj operations, as describing the incident as a dark moment for the state.

“It is with a deeply saddened heart that I received the tragic news of the unfortunate incident which claimed the lives of 22 innocent citizens and left several others injured,” he said.

The Governor called on the people to remain calm and united during this difficult period, adding that all necessary support would be extended to the families of the deceased and the injured.

He also urged Imams and faithful across the state and beyond to offer prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed and for their families to find strength in this moment of grief.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, yesterday sent a delegation to Kano State to commiserate with the government and the people over the loss.

Abiodun also gave NI million to each of the families of the victims as initial support.

The delegation, led by the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi; Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka and Executive Secretary, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Gateway Games Ogun 2024, Dr Kweku Tandoh.

It also included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Comrade Lanre Ogunyinka, Coach of Team Ogun; Idris Oguntayo; a female athlete from Team Ogun, Ms Atinuke Onabiyi, and a male athlete from the same Team, Ayomide Oyegbade.

The delegation, which arrived in Kano around 9am, was received by officials of the government led by Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo.